It may not be as an immediate starter, but AJ McCarron’s phone has rung in terms of finding a new home in the National Football League in the climax of free agency.
After seeing the likes of Kirk Cousins, Tyrod Taylor, Case Keenum, Sam Bradford and Teddy Bridgewater negotiate new deals, all seemed lost for the former University of Alabama quarterback as it appeared that his newly-found freedom from Cincinnati was in vain.
Per a tweet from Kirk Minihane, a reporter for Boston Sports via WEEI Sports Radio Network, the New England Patriots extended a contract offer to McCarron on Wednesday.
Patriots have made a contract offer to A.J. McCarron, per source.
— Kirk Minihane (@kirkmin) March 14, 2018
No details have been revealed, however, Tom Brady’s age (40) will not allow him to compete at the highest level for much longer. If one also takes into account the friendship of Patriots’ head coach Bill Belichick and Alabama’s Nick Saban, it would clearly see how much Belichick respects McCarron as a leader and overall competitor. He was a part of the three BCS national championships with the Crimson Tide, including two as the program’s starting quarterback.
Despite not having a ton of action in the NFL, McCarron held his own after Andy Dalton sustained an injury late in 2015.
As a fifth-round selection in April of that year, he guided the Bengals to an AFC Wild Card matchup against Pittsburgh and almost delivered a victory.
While it must feel special for McCarron to have options, the outcome will occur in having him compete for a starting job.
He totaled 920 passing yards and six touchdowns in four seasons.
Stephen M. Smith is the managing editor and senior writer for Touchdown Alabama Magazine. You can “like” him on Facebook or “follow” him on Twitter, via @CoachingMSmith.
